NASCAR star pledges lifelong support to Kyle Busch’s son in sweet message after 11-year-old’s emotional appearance at tribute to late father

NASCAR star Connor Zilisch sent a touching message of support to Kyle Busch’s son after the 11-year-old attended the emotional tribute to his late dad on Sunday. 

Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, passed away on May 21 after suffering with ‘severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.’

The racing legend is survived by his wife Samantha and their two children Brexton, 11, and Lennix, four, who all attended Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 as NASCAR honored Busch following his passing. 

Zilisch, who is in his third year as a NASCAR driver, declared himself a lifelong supporter of Brexton following the youngster’s brave and composed display during the heart-wrenching remembrance ceremony. 

‘Tough end to the day for us but today was bigger than racing,’ the 19-year-old shared on X following Sunday’s race. ‘Brexton, you have a fan and supporter for life buddy. Sending love to the Busch family.’ 

Brexton bravely stood by his mother’s side during the somber moment of silence at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, supporting her as she broke down into tears.

As three pipers played a somber rendition of Amazing Grace, Samantha was handed her young daughter Lennix by a member of the mourners gathered at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Samantha cradled the youngster, who sported black-and-white checkered bows in her hair in a touching nod to her father’s legacy. She then huddled her two children together as her body was wracked with sobs.

Brexton sported a black cap with his father’s No. 8 embroidered on the front – a number that has now been temporarily retired until the 11-year-old follows in his father’s footsteps and one day races in NASCAR.

Both he and his mother wore black t-shirts with a logo emblazoned on the front that read: ‘Battle of the Busches.’

The Battle of the Busches was a series of dirt track races between Kyle and his racing-phenom son, which began in March of last year.

Busch’s parents, Tom and Gaye, and his brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, also attended the race as NASCAR honored the late driver with a moment of silence.

Kurt, a NASCAR champion himself, laid a bouquet of white roses on a No 8, which had been stenciled onto the infield grass in black paint in remembrance of his younger brother.

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell shared some heartfelt words as the series honored Busch. 

The tributes to Busch continued following the emotionally-charged tribute as the US Army Golden Knights carried Busch’s flag during pre-race festivities.

Each of the 39 cars in field also carried Busch’s decal, while on the pace lap, they formed the missing man formation.

The speedway’s public address system and the television commentators went silent on the eighth lap of the race.

‘No one ever feels fully prepared to speak at a moment like this and I think we can all agree this was Kyle Busch’s home,’ he said.

‘Every race track was Kyle Busch’s home. He competed like he had something to prove every single race, when in reality he’d already proven everything. 

‘What I think we’ll miss most isn’t the wins. It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help a teammate or give some advice.

‘It was the husband, the father, or the guy who quietly did things for others when no one was watching. And to the Busch family – Tom, Gaye, Kurt, all the folks at RCR and JGR, we are certainly thinking about you.’

He added: ‘Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you. And you and your children are NASCAR family forever.’

‘And Brexton and Lennix, your dad loved you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind, you, everyone watching on TV and all those people up in that grandstand are your family, and we’ve got you.’